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The Plano ISD Health Sciences Academy, which launched in August, 2013, with 178 ninth and 10th grade students at Williams High School, has expanded to Plano East Senior High School. This fall, 39 students are continuing their journey as juniors at Plano East in the rigorous healthcare program as they prepare for the demands of a four-year university or pre-med program.

The Plano ISD Health Sciences Academy is among three Academy Programs of Plano launched in August, 2013, following a multi-year research and review process led by the Plano ISD Board of Trustees’ appointed Academy Steering Committee. Additional programs include the Plano Academy High School and the IB World School at Plano East Senior High School.

The academy offers a rigorous academic program that prepares students for the demands of a four-year university or pre-med program. Opportunities include college credit, technical certificates, hands-on experience and mentorship from healthcare professionals. The academy expands the existing high school curriculum by offering unique health science-focused electives at Collin College. Workforce dual credit courses will be applied toward earning healthcare certificates.

When students graduate from the academy, they will be able to immediately begin working as a certified technician in several various medical fields. Students may also continue their education at a university or utilize their technical certificate to begin working while they are still in college, giving them a source of income and on the job work experience.

Currently, approximately 225 students are enrolled in the Plano ISD Health Sciences Academy. The Academy opened in the fall of 2013 at Williams High School with ninth and tenth grade students. The program expanded to Plano East Senior High School this fall for eleventh grade students and will expand to include twelfth grade students in the fall of 2015.

Click here for Travis L. Brown’s outlook for the football game. ESPN.GO.COM

When we saw them last: Allen cruised easily past Lewisville, 45-13, for its second district win of 2011. Plano East lost a heartbreaker to rival Plano West in four overtime periods, 44-36, handing East its second loss of District 8-5A play.

2010 result: Plano East gave Allen one of its tightest district tests, but the Eagles won, 34-24. Allen running back Jonathan Williams exploded for almost 300 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the winning effort.

What’s at stake: Embarrassment. This game has the potential to get out of hand very early in front of a national TV audience, but if East can somehow hang on against the ESPNHS No. 3 team in the nation and pull off the upset, it would be utter humiliation for Allen. An Allen loss by no means would put the Eagles’ playoff possibilities in danger, but it would most likely shake up the seeding in a very competitive District 8-5A.

Key matchup: Plano East’s front eight against Williams. Williams tore apart East’s defense last season. East must find a way to control Williams’ production and force Allen to go to the air more than it wants. Not to say that will slow down Allen’s offense much behind quarterback Alec Morris, an Alabama commit.

Players to watch: Plano East has a talented quarterback of its own in Corey Wesley, who has passed for over 1,000 yards in 2011 and 11 touchdowns. Safety Dakota Smith and CB Corey Bassett will be East’s best bet in defending Allen’s passing attack. Allen’s A-Rod, wide receiver Andrew Rodriguez, is Morris’ favorite target, catching nine of Morris’ 19 touchdown passes.